Bernie Sanders Takes Over Twitter With #BernieMadeMeWhite
Senator Bernie Sanders is trending on Twitter with the hashtag #BernieMadeMeWhite.
I'm so thankful that #BernieMadeMeWhite.
Can we stop worrying about racial profiling and hate crimes now? pic.twitter.com/NqE1zD5bSz
— Simran Jeet Singh (@simran) March 28, 2016
According to U.S. Uncut, “Twitter is expertly skewering the corporate media for erasing the contributions that people of color have made to the Bernie Sanders campaign with #BernieMadeMeWhite.”
Mainstream media have ignored Sen. Sanders as much as possible and denigrated his campaign when they couldn’t ignore it. Sanders, they claimed, only appealed to white voters. The Nation said Bernie Sanders appealed to white working-class voters; the Washington Post said he appeals to white rural voters.
#BernieMadeMeWhite: Meet the writer who called out the media for erasing people of color https://t.co/xH40jm1pJU pic.twitter.com/Kyy3ykcIjL
— Raw Story (@RawStory) March 28, 2016
Leslie Lee III, an African-American writer, disagrees. He’s the man who created the #BernieMadeMeWhite hashtag. Lee complained that the perception that Sanders has a minority problem and that his only supporters are “Bernie Bros” — white males who are rude on social media — is inaccurate. Lee, who tweets as @tokyovampires, found that insulting to the many people of color (POC) and women who support Sanders over Clinton, Trump, Cruz, or Kasich.
“It hit a peak… when Hawaii, the least white state in the nation, retroactively became white or ‘not diverse’ due to the fact that Bernie won it. So, I started
#BernieMadeMeWhite….. Since my real existence as a black person who supports Bernie is ignored… might as well embrace my new whiteness.”
#BernieMadeMeWhite We are not invisible despite the media propaganda machine would have you believe pic.twitter.com/qGeuBKm2zD
— Native2Spirit (@N8tive2spirit) March 28, 2016
Bernie Sanders soared to victory in Hawaii, Washington, and Alaska.
https://www.facebook.com/Berniesandersupport/photos/a.1646645565611015.1073741827.1646479578960947/1703662203242684/?type=3&theater
Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington are generally considered ethnically diverse states. Less than a quarter of Hawaii’s population is white, with roughly 50 percent being of Asian heritage. Approximately a third of Alaskans are POC, mainly Native American, Pacific Islander, African American, Asian, and mixed race. Washington is in the top 10 most ethnically diverse states in the United States.
Well this is awkward @CNN #berniemademewhite pic.twitter.com/PuoIhg9cu0
— Internet Palace (@InternetPalace) March 27, 2016
Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and women have taken to Twitter, celebrating Bernie Sanders’ success in the polls by joking that since they support Sanders, they must be white. Ashlyn Shockley declared that since she was a Sanders supporter, she must be not only white, but male.
Some joked about the changes that had occurred to them since #BernieMadeMeWhite. They joked about changes in diet.
I was really dying for a burrito last night, but because of MSM's powerful narrative, I had to get a turkey wrap. #BernieMadeMeWhite
— AT-AT Stampede ??????? (@AtStampede) March 27, 2016
Ever since #BernieMadeMeWhite I have developed a newfound fondness for fine cheeses.
— JJ (@DARKESTKNIGHT79) March 28, 2016
#BernieMadeMeWhite My whole black family is losing its taste for hot sauce and spreading mayo on everything
— Chris (@dteg32) March 27, 2016
Others joked about appearance.
This isn't a picture of two friends, it's actually a before and after voting for Bernie pic. #BernieMadeMeWhite pic.twitter.com/lHH9QJvTfB
— DollyPartonSocialism ? (@DPsocialism) March 27, 2016
Some joked about their musical tastes changing now that #BernieMadeMeWhite.
Playing country music non-stop #BernieMadeMeWhite #FeelTheBern
— Umoja Upendo (@umojaupendo) March 27, 2016
Ever since I voted for Bernie, I lost all sense of rhythm and started playing ultimate frisbee #BernieMadeMeWhite
— demi ?? (@demiak_) March 27, 2016
Along with the jokes, some serious statements were made, including comments about white privilege, institutional racism, voting rights, driving while black, equal pay, racial profiling, children being bullied, and more.
When #BernieMadeMeWhite, my neighbor could vouch for me at the voting booth, no ID required. pic.twitter.com/FpZaGIutev
— Our Revolución (@Latinos4Bernie) March 27, 2016
Since I voted for Bernie I haven't been followed around the store once. #BernieMadeMeWhite
— ShannyVanny (@shannonb_84) March 27, 2016
Also, now that #BernieMadeMeWhite, can I please get on an airplane without being harassed by airport security?! pic.twitter.com/4lDvIL6Y6T
— Simran Jeet Singh (@simran) March 28, 2016
I voted for Bernie. As far the media is concerned. I am a white man. Wow. No more police brutality. Thank you Bernie pic.twitter.com/UidYSKvoLS
— raphael ligonde “Ti Lepe, Old man, Anciano” (@raphy68) March 27, 2016
Check out the #BernieMadeMeWhite tweets. So good. pic.twitter.com/unDPfbNo6z
— laurie allee (@laurieallee) March 27, 2016
Contrary to what the mainstream media may say, Bernie Sanders’ supporters are a diverse group. Will Leslie Lee’s hashtag open some eyes? Twitter Moments says #BernieMadeMeWhite is more than a meme.
#BernieMadeMeWhite is more than a meme, it’s a corrective to a blind spot in the narrative about his supporters.
If elected, Bernie Sanders will be the first Jewish president of the United States of America. His supporters include men and women, old and young, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Jews, POC, and whites.
I used to be a Muslim woman but #BernieMadeMeWhite pic.twitter.com/gUR1UbAcC3
— CampaignWorks (@CampaignWrks) March 28, 2016
Is Hillary Clinton too far ahead of Bernie Sanders for him to catch up, or is this hashtag #BernieMadeMeWhite enough to attract attention and get Sen. Sanders the voter support he needs to win the Democratic nomination?
[Photo by Gerardo Mora/Getty Images]